French-twist Hair Roller for Shaping Hair into an Elegant Style

ABSTRACT

A French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style allows hair to be rolled and shaped into a French-twist style. The French-twist hair roller includes a roller and a plurality of gripping members. The hair is twisted tightly around the roller and held is placed with hair clips and hair spray. The plurality of gripping members grip onto the loose ends of the hair allowing the hair to be tightly wound around the roller. To achieve the desired shape, the roller has a tapered tube, an inner concave surface, and an outer convex surface. The plurality of gripping members is mounted onto the outer convex surface. The plurality of gripping members may be a hook-shaped or loop-shaped member that grips the hair as it is tightly wound around the roller.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/584,256 filed on Nov. 10, 2017. The current application is filed on Nov. 13, 2018 while Nov. 10, 2018 was on a weekend, and Nov. 12, 2018 was a holiday.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style. More specifically, the hair roller is fashioned with hair-gripping members for twisting the hair tightly into the desired shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The French-twist is a common “updo” hair style created by gathering the hair to one side of the head and twisting the hair upwards into a roll. The stray hair is then secured with barrettes, combs, hair sticks, and/or hairpins. Normally, to create the roll, the hair is wrapped around the thumb of the hair dresser to give the hair the desired twist. However, holding the hair in place by hand requires considerable skill as it is difficult to keep the hair from unraveling. The hairdresser must make constant adjustments to the hair to ensure it remains in the desired shape.

Even though millions of women wear this hair style daily, there is no product currently on the market to aid them in perfecting this style. Currently women tie their hair into a loose roll for the French-twist, as it is very difficult to hair make a tight roll by hand without unraveling it. If one is not a stylist, one does not get the desired effect of the French-twist roll. This also makes it very difficult to create a French-twist by oneself and instead one must hire a hairdresser at considerable expense to style the hair.

With the present invention, you do not need a stylist to get the Perfect French-twist roll. Anyone can get the desired results with the present invention. The length of the hair is not a factor as we will include 3 (three) different sizes for all type hair.

Accordingly, the present invention is designed to eliminate the need for a hairdresser to create a French-twist hair style. The present invention allows a woman to quickly and conveniently style her hair in an elegant style time after time, all by herself.

The present invention is a French-twist hair roller for shaping a woman's hair into an elegant style. The present invention enables a woman to style her hair perfectly each time she attempts to do a French roll. A roller with Velcro-type loops covering the outer surface is used to securely hold the hair as it is being shaped into the desired style. The roller is conical in shape to create an opening in which to insert the ends of the hair, once it achieves the desired shape. The Velcro-type loops grip onto individual hair strands and prevent them from separating as the hair is being rolled. This eliminates the need to adjust the hair as it is being rolled, thereby allow a woman to style her hair by herself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the present invention illustrating the fabric liner in the wrapped around the roller.

FIG. 3 is a detail side view of fabric liner illustrating the adhesive coating superimposed to the connecting side.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the roller illustrating the fabric liner in the unfurled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a French-twist hair roller for shaping the hair into an elegant style. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a roller 1 and a plurality of gripping members 3. The hair is wrapped around the roller 1 and held in the desired shape with the help of hair clips. In one possible embodiment, the roller 1 may be made of hard plastics that hold their shape when squeezed. This allows the hair to be tightly wound around the roller 1 and be shaped into the desired style. The plurality of gripping members 3 secures the loose ends of the hair and prevents the hair from separating from the roller 1. In one possible embodiment, the plurality of gripping members 3 may be the loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastener. In alternate embodiments, the gripping member may be the hook portion of the hook-and-loop fastener. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of gripping members 3 is a nylon filament hardened under ultra-violet light.

The preferred roller 1 comprises a tapered tube 12, an inner concave surface 13, and an outer convex surface 14. The tapered tube 12 is shaped specifically to shape the hair into an updo. As such, the tapered tube 12 is preferably tapered at the bottom to form a conical shape. Thus, the hair is wrapped into a cone that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. The tapered tube 12 can be used to shape the hair into various hair styles. This allows the tapered tube 12 to be used on natural hair, permed hair, curly hair, dreads or even a weave. The inner concave surface 13 and the outer convex surface 14 are positioned opposite each other about the tapered tube 12. The outer convex surface 14 allows hair to easily wrap around the tapered tube 12 whereas the inner concave surface 13 creates an interior space.

Preferably, the roller 1 is covered with the plurality of gripping members 3. As such, the plurality of gripping members 3 is positioned onto the outer convex surface 14. Further, the plurality of gripping members 3 is radially positioned around the roller 1. Additionally, the plurality of gripping members 3 is positioned along the roller 1. This completely covers the outer convex surface 14 with the plurality of gripping members 3, creating multiple contact points that grip the hair. Further, in one possible embodiment, the plurality of gripping members 3 is connected to the roller 1 by a liner. In this embodiment, the liner may be permanently glued to the roller 1. Accordingly, the plurality of gripping members 3 may be mounted onto the outer surface of the liner. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of gripping members 3 may be mounted directly to the outer convex surface 14. For example, the plurality of gripping members 3 may be extruded out of the same material as the roller. Alternately, the plurality of gripping members 3 may also be glued to the outer convex surface 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred implementation, the present invention is used to style the hair into a French-twist. To do so, the hair is brushed to one side of the head and the tapered tube 12 is positioned at the stem of the hair with the narrow end pointing towards the neck. The tapered tube 12 is then slid down the hair while the hair is kept as taught as possible and rolled around the hair until all loose ends are secured. The clipped hair is then rolled back up smoothing it as it is rolled. The ends of the hair is then inserted into the wide end of the tapered tube 12. The hair is then secured with bobby pins or sprayed with hair spray for extra hold.

In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the tapered tube 12 may be fabricated with weight-saving holes that reduce the weight of the roller 1 while preserving structural integrity. Weight-saving holes reduce the materials needed to fabricate the tapered tube 12 while preserving the desired rigidity. In an alternate embodiment, the tapered tube 12 may be made of porous materials for the same benefits. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tapered tube 12 may be solid.

In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of gripping members 3 is positioned on top of a fabric liner 2 which wraps around the roller 1. The fabric liner 2 is a flexible sheet of synthetic fiber that allows the plurality of gripping members 3 to conform to the shape of the roller 1. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric liner 2 is made of synthetic fibers such as nylon, acrylic, polyester, and/or olefin. The fabric liner 2 is connected to the roller 1 via a connecting side 22. Once connected, the connecting side 22 is completely concealed under the fabric liner 2. This orients a gripping side 21 facing towards the hair. The gripping side 21 and the connecting side 22 are positioned opposite each other about the fabric liner 2. The plurality of gripping members 3 is mounted onto the gripping side 21 of the fabric liner 2 which faces towards the hair. In contrast, the connecting side 22 is positioned facing the roller 1. Further, the fabric liner 2 is wrapped around the tapered tube 12. Consequently, the connecting side 22 is positioned coincident to the outer convex surface 14. Further, the plurality of gripping members 3 is laterally connected onto the gripping side 21, opposite the outer convex surface 14. This permanently attaches the fabric liner 2 to the outer convex surface 14. As such, the plurality of gripping members 3 are positioned on top of the gripping side 21. This allows the plurality of gripping members 3 to grip onto the ends of the hair, thereby conforming the hair to the roller 1.

In one possible embodiment, the fabric liner 2 may be permanently glued onto the outer convex surface 14. In this embodiment, the connecting surface of the fabric liner 2 may be coated with a high-strength glue. In alternate embodiments, the connecting side 22 may utilize mechanical fasteners such as buttons, snaps, and or magnets to connect to the outer convex side.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of weight-saving perforations 4 reduces the weight while preserving the rigidity of the tapered tube 12. In this embodiment, the plurality of weight-saving perforations 4 is arranged in a grid pattern that curves around the outer convex surface 14 of the tapered tube 12. Accordingly, the plurality of weight-saving perforations 4 is positioned along the tapered tube 12. Further, the plurality of weight-saving perforations 4 is radially positioned around the tapered tube 12. As such, the plurality of weight-saving perforations 4 covers both the length and the width of the tapered tube 12, thereby maximizing the weight saved. The plurality of weight-saving perforations 4 traverses radially inwards through the tapered tube 12. Preferably, each of weight-saving perforation 4 is a rectangular cut that traverses through the tapered tube 12. In alternate embodiments, the weight-saving perforations 4 may be any shape or size.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, an adhesive coating 5 connects the fabric liner 2 to the outer convex surface 14 of the tapered tube 12. Preferably, the adhesive coating 5 is strong enough to permanently connect the fabric liner 2 to the outer convex surface 14. The adhesive coating 5 is superimposed onto the connecting side 22 of the fabric liner 2. Further, the adhesive coating 5 is attached coincident to the outer convex surface 14 of the tapered tube 12. In another possible embodiment, the adhesive coating 5 may be pasted onto the perimeter of the fabric liner 2, thereby reducing the amount of adhesive coating 5 required.

The preferred embodiment of the tapered tube 12 is made of hard plastics. This helps the tapered tube 12 retain its shape while being squeezed. For example, the tapered tube 12 may be made of polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as is common in the relevant arts. Alternately, the tapered tube 12 may also be made of low-density metals, ceramics, or organic materials.

In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of gripping members 3 is a loop of a hook-and-loop fastener. Preferably, each loop is made of a hardened nylon thread. More specifically, the nylon thread is hardened by shining ultra-violet light. This allows the nylon thread to grip onto one or more hair strands. Alternately, the plurality of gripping members 3 may be fabricated with another method known in the relevant arts.

Referring to FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the roller 1 comprises a first rim 121 and a second rim 122. As such, the first rim 121 and the second rim 122 are positioned opposite each other about the tapered tube 12. This positions the first rim 121 at the top of the roller 1, whereas the second rim 122 is positioned at the bottom of the roller 1. Accordingly, the fabric liner 2 comprises a first arcuate side 23 and a second arcuate side 24. As is known in the relevant arts, a cone projected onto a flat surface has two curved sides corresponding to the base and the apex of the cone. As such, the first arcuate side 23 and the second arcuate side 24 refer to the two curved sides of the fabric liner 2 when laid flat. To ensure that the fabric liner 2 completely covers the tapered tube 12, the first arc-length 25 of the first arcuate side 23 is congruent to the circumference of the first rim 121. Similarly, the second arc-length 26 of the second arcuate side 24 is congruent to the circumference of the second rim 122. The first arc-length 25 is the distance along the first arcuate side 23. Alternately, the second arc-length 26 is the distance along the second arcuate side 24. This allows the first arcuate side 23 to completely wrap around the first rim 121, and the second arcuate side 24 to wrap around the second rim 122. To connect the fabric liner 2, the first arcuate side 23 is mounted over the first rim 121 and the second arcuate side 24 is mounted over the second rim 122. Consequently, the first arcuate side 23 is positioned adjacent to the first rim 121. Similarly, the second arcuate side 24 is positioned adjacent to the second rim 122. This allows the first arcuate side 23 and the second arcuate side 24 to successfully wrap around the first rim 121 and the second rim 122, respectively.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style comprises: a roller; a plurality of gripping members; the roller comprises a tapered tube, an inner concave surface, and an outer convex surface; the inner concave surface and the outer convex surface being positioned opposite each other about the tapered tube; the plurality of gripping members being positioned onto the outer convex surface; the plurality of gripping members being radially positioned around the roller; and the plurality of gripping members being positioned along the roller.
 2. The French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a fabric liner; a connecting side; a gripping side; the gripping side and the connecting side being positioned opposite each other about the fabric liner; the fabric liner being wrapped around the tapered tube; the plurality of gripping members being laterally connected onto the gripping side, opposite the outer convex surface; and the connecting side being positioned coincident to the outer convex surface.
 3. The French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a plurality of weight-saving perforations; the plurality of weight-saving perforations being positioned along the tapered tube; the plurality of weight-saving perforations is radially positioned around the tapered tube; and the plurality of weight-saving perforations traversing radially inwards through the tapered tube.
 4. The French-twist hair roller configured for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an adhesive coating; the adhesive coating being superimposed onto the connecting side of the fabric liner; and the adhesive coating being attached coincident to the outer convex surface of the tapered tube.
 5. The French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tapered tube is made of hard plastics.
 6. The French-twist hair roller configured for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of gripping members is a loop of a hook-and-loop fastener.
 7. The French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the roller comprises a first rim and a second rim; the fabric liner comprises a first arcuate side and a second arcuate side; the first rim and the second rim being positioned opposite each other about the tapered tube; the arc-length of the first arcuate side being congruent to the circumference of the first rim; the arc-length of the second arcuate side being congruent to the circumference of the second rim; the first arcuate side being positioned adjacent to the first rim; and the second arcuate side being positioned adjacent to the second rim.
 8. A French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style comprises: a roller; a plurality of gripping members; a fabric liner; a connecting side; a gripping side; the roller comprises a tapered tube, an inner concave surface, and an outer convex surface; the inner concave surface and the outer convex surface being positioned opposite each other about the tapered tube; the plurality of gripping members being positioned onto the outer convex surface; the plurality of gripping members being radially positioned around the roller; the plurality of gripping members being positioned along the roller; the gripping side and the connecting side being positioned opposite each other about the fabric liner; the fabric liner being wrapped around the tapered tube; the plurality of gripping members being laterally connected onto the gripping side, opposite the outer convex surface; and the connecting side being positioned coincident to the outer convex surface.
 9. The French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 8 comprises: a plurality of weight-saving perforations; the plurality of weight-saving perforations being positioned along the tapered tube; the plurality of weight-saving perforations is radially positioned around the tapered tube; and the plurality of weight-saving perforations traversing radially inwards through the tapered tube.
 10. The French-twist hair roller configured for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 8 comprises: an adhesive coating; the adhesive coating being superimposed onto the connecting side of the fabric liner; and the adhesive coating being attached coincident to the outer convex surface of the tapered tube.
 11. The French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tapered tube is made of hard plastics.
 12. The French-twist hair roller configured for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of gripping members is a loop of a hook-and-loop fastener.
 13. The French-twist hair roller for shaping hair into an elegant style as claimed in claim 8 comprises: the roller comprises a first rim and a second rim; the fabric liner comprises a first arcuate side and a second arcuate side; the first rim and the second rim being positioned opposite each other about the tapered tube; the arc-length of the first arcuate side being congruent to the circumference of the first rim; the arc-length of the second arcuate side being congruent to the circumference of the second rim; the first arcuate side being positioned adjacent to the first rim; and the second arcuate side being positioned adjacent to the second rim. 